Do You Need Grow Lights in a Greenhouse During Winter?
One of the questions that comes up when people start thinking about winter greenhouse gardening is whether they'll need grow lights.
And my answer might surprise you.
I rarely use them.
Even during the winter months, I rely primarily on natural sunlight in my Yoderbilt greenhouse. In fact, about the only time I bring out my grow lights is when I'm starting seeds and we've had several cloudy days in a row.
For the way I garden, they've always been more of an occasional helping hand than an everyday necessity.
Does a Greenhouse Need Grow Lights?
Not necessarily!
One of the wonderful things about a greenhouse is the ability to take advantage of natural sunlight, even when outdoor temperatures are cooler.
While the days are shorter during winter and sunlight isn't as intense, many cool-season crops can still grow successfully in a greenhouse without supplemental lighting.
I especially enjoy growing lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, and herbs during the cooler months. These crops are generally better suited to shorter days and cooler growing conditions than warm-season vegetables like tomatoes and peppers.
Growth may slow during the darkest part of winter, and that's perfectly normal.
A greenhouse doesn't need to produce at the same pace in January that it does in April to be incredibly useful.
When I Actually Use Grow Lights in My Greenhouse
For me, the biggest benefit of greenhouse grow lights comes during seed starting.
If I've started trays of seeds and we experience several cloudy days in a row, I may use supplemental lighting to help provide the young seedlings with the light they need.
Seedlings need adequate light to develop strong, healthy growth. When light is insufficient, they may become stretched or leggy as they reach toward the available light.
That's when a little additional lighting can be helpful.
But once conditions improve and we have plenty of natural sunlight again, I generally don't need to continue using them.
It's a simple approach that has worked well for the way I use my greenhouse.
What About LED Grow Lights?
If you decide to use supplemental greenhouse lighting, LED grow lights can be a practical option.
They are available in different sizes and styles, including compact fixtures that work well over seed-starting trays.
You don't necessarily need an elaborate lighting system, especially if your goal is simply to give a few trays of seedlings some extra light during an extended stretch of cloudy weather.
Look for a light designed for growing plants, follow the manufacturer's recommendations for placement, and use electrical equipment that is suitable for the greenhouse environment.
The amount of supplemental light needed will depend on the crop, available natural sunlight, and growing conditions.
Natural Sunlight Is Still My Favorite Greenhouse Feature
One of the things I love most about my greenhouse is how much I can grow by working with the seasons.
During fall and winter, I focus more on cool-season vegetables, herbs, and plants that are comfortable with those growing conditions.
As the days begin getting longer, it's time to think about seed starting and preparing for spring.
And occasionally, when the weather gives us several gray days in a row, I pull out the grow lights.
That's really all there is to it.
So, do you need grow lights in a greenhouse during winter? Not always.
For many home greenhouse gardeners, natural sunlight can do much of the work, especially when growing cool-season crops. Supplemental lighting is simply another tool you can use when your plants need a little extra help.
And that's one of my favorite things about greenhouse gardening. You can keep it as simple or as involved as you'd like.
Interested in growing through more of the year? Explore the fully assembled Legacy and Traditional greenhouses from Yoderbilt Greenhouses and discover the possibilities of backyard greenhouse gardening.
